A symbol of Christian tradition, Easter is one of the most important festivities for this religion, representing the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Son of God. Celebrated once a year, it is on the first Sunday after the first full moon that the celebrations begin. In the Algarve, several towns and villages maintain religious ceremonies, with masses, processions and parades during Holy Week, which precedes Easter Sunday. In 2023, Easter is scheduled for April 9.
The best word that defines the weather in the Algarve is "inviting", and the weather in the Algarve in April is no exception. With sunny days and the welcome given to spring, the Easter season in this region offers cosy days.
Being a very traditional time, Easter is also celebrated with the reunion of family and friends, who taste typical sweets. In this article, we present 5 suggestions to enjoy the Easter holidays in the Algarve way.
1. Tavira
In Tavira, since 1879, Holy Thursday has been celebrated with a procession that recreates the Via Crucis, the path Jesus took up to his crucifixion. On Good Friday there is the procession of the Burial of the Lord and the commemorations of the Passion of Christ.
For Holy Saturday, you are invited to visit the Easter Vigil in Santa Maria Church. Easter Sunday follows Eucharist in different churches (many with Masses in English as well), and Holy Week ends with the Resurrection Procession from São Paulo Church to Santa Maria Church.
2. Loulé
In the town of Loulé, Easter is celebrated with the "Little Feast of the Sovereign Mother", which dates back to the 16th century in honour of Nossa Senhora da Piedade. On Easter Sunday, the image of Our Lady descends from the hermitage to the Church of S. Francisco, and during the following 2 weeks different religious events take place, the main one being a procession that takes the image to its starting point (known as "Festa Grande", the biggest religious festival south of Fátima).
In the village of Alte, also in Loulé, Portuguese customs are even more marked. Holy Week is celebrated with the following agenda:
- Blessing of the Branches on Palm Sunday, i.e. the Sunday before Easter;
- Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday;
- Celebration of the Passion of Christ on Good Friday;
- Vigil of the Resurrection of the Lord and Renewal of Easter Promises on Holy Saturday;
- Easter Vigil on Easter Sunday.
Another way to celebrate Easter in the Algarve is to be in touch with nature. Get inspired by the fountains that surround the village of Alte, such as Fonte Grande and Fonte Pequena, and have a picnic in the open air. The final touch of a family Easter holiday: hide some chocolate eggs and let the little ones go on an adventure!
3. Olhão
For those who would like to celebrate Portuguese Easter beyond the religious festivities, Olhão is the destination to indicate! Home of the famous Folar de Olhão, a traditional Algarve cake with cinnamon, sugar and butter, this is the town where you can enjoy a family weekend with a view of the Ria Formosa.
4. Lagos
In Lagos Easter is celebrated between 2 churches - Santa Maria and São Sebastião - and the activities are scheduled as follows:
- Palm Sunday at Santa Maria Church, with the Blessing of the Branches, procession and Eucharist;
- Maundy Thursday in Santa Maria Church, with the Mass of the Lord's Supper and the washing of the feet;
- Good Friday in the Church of San Sebastian, with the Celebration of Christ and the recreation of the Way of the Cross;
- Holy Saturday in Santa Maria and San Sebastian Churches, both with the Easter Vigil;
- Easter Sunday at Santa Maria Church, with 2 Eucharistist and at São Sebastião Church with the Resurrection Eucharist.
During Holy Week, Lagos also organises the Folar and Handicraft Fair, where regional sweets, loaves of bread, honey and local liqueurs can be sampled, always with accompanying music. If you are holidaying in the Algarve during this season, venture to the coastal area with a kayak trip, a catamaran cruise, a diving visit to the sea caves, a dolphin-watching boat trip or even a gastronomic tour that ends at sunset. Take advantage of Easter to turn your holidays into a week full of romantic getaways.
5. Albufeira
The Easter tour ends in Albufeira. As in the other Algarve towns, Holy Week is marked by different masses in the Parish Church:
- Palm Sunday with the Blessing of the Branches and a procession, which begins in the Church of Santa Ana;
- Holy Thursday with the Evening Eucharist of the Lord's Supper, Adoration of the Lord and Procession of the Panels, beginning in the Misericórdia Church and ending in the Main Church with the Eucharist of Adoration;
- Good Friday with Lauds Prayer, Celebration of the Passion of Christ and Procession of the Burial of the Lord;
- Holy Saturday with the Day of Silence, Lauds Prayer and Easter Vigil;
- Easter Sunday with the Mass of the Lord's Pasch.
Now that you know the places to visit on your Easter holidays in the Algarve, we invite you to embrace a cosy stay at one of the best golf resorts in Portugal, Amendoeira Golf Resort. Get to know our offers and enjoy a week overlooking 270 hectares of nature!
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